Patents by Inventor Oliver W. Durrant

Oliver W. Durrant has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4674285
    Abstract: A reflux condensing start-up system comprises a steam generator, a start-up vessel connected parallel to the steam generator, a main steam line connecting steam outlets of the steam generator and start-up vessel to a steam turbine, a condenser connected to an outlet of the turbine and a feedwater return line connected between the condenser and inlets of the steam generator and start-up vessel. The start-up vessel has one or more heaters at the bottom thereof for heating feedwater which is supplied over a start-up line to the start-up vessel. Steam is thus generated to pressurize the steam generator before the steam generator is supplied with a heat transfer medium, for example liquid sodium, in the case of a liquid metal fast breeder reactor. The start-up vessel includes upper and lower bulbs with a smaller diameter mid-section to act as water and steam reservoirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Oliver W. Durrant, Chandrasekhara R. Kakarala, Sheldon W. Mandel
  • Patent number: 4656335
    Abstract: A reflux condensing start-up system includes a steam generator, a start-up vessel connected parallel to the steam generator, a main steam line connecting steam outlets of the steam generator and start-up vessel to a steam turbine, a condenser connected to an outlet of the turbine and a feedwater return line connected between the condenser and inlets of the steam generator and start-up vessel. The start-up vessel has one or more heaters at the bottom thereof for heating feedwater which is supplied over a start-up line to the start-up vessel. Steam is thus generated to pressurize the steam generator before the steam generator is supplied with a heat transfer medium, for example liquid sodium, in the case of a liquid metal fast breeder reactor. The start-up vessel includes upper and lower bulbs with a smaller diameter mid-section to act as water and steam reservoirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Oliver W. Durrant, Chandrasekhara R. Kakarala, Sheldon W. Mandel
  • Patent number: 4455835
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for storing excess thermal energy of a fossil fuel-fired vapor generator during low demand periods and for recovering the stored thermal energy for use during high demand periods. A first moving bed heat exchanger is provided for flowing a bed of refractory particles in heat exchange relation with vapor generator flue gases to receive thermal energy therefrom. At least a portion of the bed of heated refractory particles is stored. A second moving bed heat exchanger is provided for flowing at least a portion of the bed of heated refractory particles in heat exchange relation with a fluid to impart thermal energy to the fluid for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Oliver W. Durrant
  • Patent number: 4061533
    Abstract: A co-ordinated control system for a nuclear power producing unit having a pressurized water reactor, a plurality of once through steam generators through which the coolant from the reactor is circulated in parallel, and a turbine generator supplied steam from the steam generators for the production of electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1977
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Oliver W. Durrant
  • Patent number: 3937024
    Abstract: A coordinated control system for a power producing unit consisting of two, single reheat steam generators supplying steam to a single turbine-generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1976
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Oliver W. Durrant, John William Smith